Power Loss Minimization in a Radial Distribution System with Distributed Generation

Integration of distributed generation (DG) in a distribution network is a key for power loss mitigation and improvement in the voltage profile. In this paper, a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) based optimization technique has been used to determine the optimal sizes and corresponding locations of DGs to be placed in a distribution network for reduction of power loss and improvement in the voltage profile. The MINLP technique considered in this paper, utilizes the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) through ‘fmincon’ function available in the MATLAB optimization toolbox. The MINLP technique has been applied for solving the problem of optimal DG placement in IEEE 33-Bus and 69-Bus distribution systems. For the purpose of load flow, a well-known direct load flow technique has been used. After the analysis of the results obtained for the two test systems, it can be concluded that MINLP is an effective approach for minimizing the distribution network losses and improving the system voltage profile by optimally placing the DGs of suitable sizes at appropriate locations.